middle school

My latest post dealt with the necessity of acknowledging that girls bully and the significance of labeling these behaviors as such. But now I’m going to shift gears and contradict that notion; we need to find a new term for “girl bullying.” It’s a term I often use when giving the elevator pitch for my … [Read more…]

Since the beginning of my own experience with girl bullying in middle school, it has always struck me how few people have even heard of this as a specific issue. But what baffles me more is the amount of men and women I’ve encountered who seem to refuse to deem this as “bullying.” Too often … [Read more…]

Sending your daughter off to another year of school can be daunting knowing that her persecution may carry over, or even worsen, in the new grade. Here’s what to focus on in order to best empower and support her as she enters this next chapter: Encourage Her to Seize Opportunities. A new school year means … [Read more…]

Starting a new school year can bring up a mix of emotions – excitement for what’s to come, hope for a clean slate, but also fear of falling back into damaging friendships and patterns. Here are my tips to start it all off right, and the essential reminders to hold on to as the year … [Read more…]

One of my earliest posts dealt with the issue of gossiping and the role that talking about others has in friendships. But there is another function of this that I did not address, and one that I think can be rather illuminating. Do you ever find yourself repeatedly complaining to and confiding in a friend … [Read more…]

Having distance from my experiences with girl bullying and a stronger sense of who I am has allowed me to revisit these memories with clarity, rather than emotion. However, I’m reminded every day of the impact those girls had on how I view and approach relationships; I often feel desperate when making plans with friends … [Read more…]

Many of my posts cater to providing advice for victims of girl bullying, or the parents of victims. But I feel it’s just as important to address the bully. Often times, it can be much harder for a parent to acknowledge their daughter is causing such pain and drama. It’s crucial to recognize that there … [Read more…]

I have always taken issue with the term “best friends” – this initially stemmed from the fact that I myself did not have a true best friend until the end of high school. But even after claiming the experience myself, I consider the implications and expectations of that expression to be ultimately detrimental to how … [Read more…]

You’re in a small pond • These are the friends you have access to right now. Finding the right friends is heavily contingent on finding the right environment. College, your career, even a club will open opportunities to meet “your people.” The best revenge is your future success • It may seem easiest to sit … [Read more…]

Growing up, I was a spunky, creative spirit, involved in music and dance for as long as I can remember. But in 8th grade, at the height of my bullied years, I pulled away. I started the school year and immediately decided not to return to jazz choir, nor audition for the musical. I didn’t … [Read more…]